The Mystery Managers

Subtitle: How Grace Makes Us Ambassadors, Not Spectators

📚 Series Recap: “Who Are We?”

We’ve been on a journey through the book of Ephesians, asking one central question: “Who are we as Christians?” With each chapter, God has been building a new vision of our identity—one that is rooted not in performance, but in position through Christ.

Week 1: Chosen and Sealed (Ephesians 1:1–14)

We discovered that we are blessed, chosen, adopted, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Before we did anything for God, He had already decided to make us His.

🔑 Identity truth: You are not an accident—you are an adoption.

Week 2: Alive for a Reason (Ephesians 2:1–10)

We remembered who we were—dead in sin—and who we now are: made alive in Christ by grace, created for good works prepared in advance.

🔑 Identity truth: You don’t just have a past—you have a purpose.

Week 3: From Outsiders to Insiders (Ephesians 2:11–22)

We saw how the cross broke down dividing walls and made us part of one new humanity—no longer strangers, but fellow citizens and members of God’s household.

🔑 Identity truth: You’re not just included—you’re fully integrated.

🎮 Introduction with Hook Phrase

Let me tell you a story:

A young man once inherited a large and beautiful piece of farmland—acres of fertile soil, rich with potential. The land had belonged to his grandfather, a hard-working farmer who had labored every day to till the soil, plant the crops, and bless the local community with the fruit of his work.

When the young man signed the papers and received the land, his first instinct was celebration. He had done nothing to earn it—yet now it was fully his. But shortly after, the attorney overseeing the inheritance leaned in and said something that changed everything:

“This land isn’t just yours to enjoy. It’s yours to steward. Your grandfather believed it was meant to keep feeding people—even after he was gone.”

Those words stayed with him: not just to enjoy… but to steward.

In many ways, Paul is saying the same thing in Ephesians 3. He had been entrusted with a priceless inheritance—not acres of land, but the riches of God’s grace. And that grace wasn’t meant to stop with him. It was meant to flow through him to others.

“Assuming you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you…” (Eph. 3:2)

🔄 Leading into Week 4: “The Mystery Managers” (Ephesians 3:1–13)

Now, we shift from what we’ve received to what we’re responsible for. Paul calls it the stewardship of grace—a divine mystery revealed and handed to us, not to hold but to share.

🔍 Set the Question

What are you doing with the grace you’ve been given?

🔔 Hook Phrase

You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it.

🧭 Sermon Outline

📌 1. The Mystery of God: Grace Hidden, Now Handed Over

Ephesians 3:1–6 ESV

1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul speaks of a mystery revealed—not something new, but something once hidden that is now handed down to us for stewardship.

📍 Subpoints:

Once your entrusted with God’s grace you become a prisoner to it.

Ephesians 3:1 ESV

1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—

Paul was first a recipient of the grace when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Paul became responsible for God’s grace to share with others.

The mysteries of God are ment to be revealed.

There is an enemy blinding the minds of people from the gospel of grace.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 ESV

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

We are the stewards to share the mysteries of God with those around us and the world.

2 Corinthians 4:5–6 ESV

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

If we don’t share we contribute to the blindness of the world.

God’s character and grace is worthy to be shared.

📖 The Seven Mysteries of the New Testament:

A few weeks ago I made the statement that we are the stewards of the mysteries of God. I would imagine that many of you if asked right now could not tell me what the mysteries are that we are stewarding. Two of those mysteries are found in the book of Ephesians.

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 ESV

1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Here are the Seven mysteries:

The Mystery of Godliness (1 Tim. 3:16) – God manifested in the flesh

1 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

2. The Mystery of Blindness: Israel’s Hardness (Rom. 11:25-26) – temporary hardening

Romans 11:25–26 ESV

25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;

3. The Mystery of Indwelling: Christ in You (Col. 1:27) – the indwelling Spirit

Colossians 1:27 ESV

27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

4. The Mystery of Unity: The Unity of Believers (Eph. 3:6) – one new man

Ephesians 3:6 ESV

6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

5. The Mystery of the Bride: Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:32) – a divine union

Ephesians 5:32 ESV

32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

6. The Mystery of the Rapture (1 Cor. 15:51) – sudden transformation

1 Corinthians 15:51 ESV

51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

7. Mystery of Iniquity (2 Thess. 2:7) – lawlessness at work

2 Thessalonians 2:7 ESV

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

📷 Illustration: The Anticipation of the Ending—Harry Potter Novels

When J.K. Rowling was writing the Harry Potter series, readers around the world were hooked on the unfolding story. Seven books were planned, but only a few had been released in the early years. For those reading in real-time, there was a deep sense of anticipation and longing—what would happen in the end?

Would Harry defeat Voldemort?

Would the forces of good triumph?

How would all the mysteries and hidden pieces of the story come together?

Fans theorized, debated, and devoured every new chapter, longing to see the full picture. But until the final book was released, the true ending remained hidden—a mystery only fully known to the author herself.

When Book 7 finally came out, millions stayed up all night reading, finally seeing the culmination of the story revealed.

🎯 Spiritual Connection:

For generations, the mystery of God’s plan was partially hidden—foretold in types and shadows, glimpsed through the prophets, but not fully known. The ending had not yet been revealed.

But through Christ, the curtain has been pulled back. The final chapter is now known:

Not only do we get to read the ending—we are invited to step into the story, with bold access to the Author Himself.

You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it.

✅ Application:

You are holding God’s revealed mystery. Don’t keep it hidden. Steward it faithfully.

🔔 You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it.

📌 2. The Mission We Carry: Grace Is Meant to Be Shared

Ephesians 3:7–10 ESV

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Paul was made a minister by the gift of grace. The mystery wasn’t just for him to enjoy but for him to declare.

📍 Subpoints:

When we share the gift of God’s grace we share the power of God.

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 9:16 ESV

16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

The Church is God’s instrument to reveal his grace.

📷 True Illustration: The 2008 U.S. Olympic Relay Drop

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, both the U.S. men’s and women’s 4x100-meter relay teams were favorites to medal. They had speed, experience, and a long-standing legacy of Olympic dominance.

But in a shocking turn of events, both teams were disqualified—not because they lost a race, but because they failed to successfully pass the baton.

For the men, Darvis Patton dropped the baton during the handoff to Tyson Gay.

For the women, Torri Edwards and Lauryn Williams fumbled the exchange.

In both cases, the baton hit the ground—and so did their Olympic hopes.

It was heartbreaking. Years of training, preparation, and potential—all lost in a single moment of failed transfer.

🎯 Tie-In to Your Point:

“The grace we’ve been given is like that baton—it’s not meant to be held, it’s meant to be handed off. We are stewards of the mystery. One dropped moment, one missed handoff, and generations could miss the Gospel.” Both parties need to be ready for the transfer. If the next generation is ready for the hand off we can’t be the ones to fumble it.

✅ Application:

Stewardship of grace means we live on mission, not on mute. Who around you still hasn’t heard or seen the mystery revealed?

🔔 You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it.

📌 3. Grace Grants Us Boldness and Access

Ephesians 3:11–13 ESV

11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Not only are we called to share grace with others—we are also called to boldly access God’s presence.

📍 Subpoints:

We approach God with confidence through faith (v.12)

Hebrews 4:15–16 KJV 1900

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

📷 Illustration Story: JFK Jr. in the Oval Office

It’s the early 1960s. The most powerful room in the world—the Oval Office—is a place where world leaders come to negotiate peace, where generals bring war reports, where classified secrets are discussed behind locked doors.

Everyone who enters must be invited. Every word is weighed. Every step inside that room is earned.

Except for one person: John F. Kennedy Jr., the President’s young son.

There’s a now-famous photo of little “John-John” peeking out from beneath the Resolute Desk as his father, President Kennedy, who sits above him managing the affairs of the world. That little boy didn’t need an appointment. He didn’t need credentials. He didn’t have to knock.

Why? Because he was the son. And sons have access.

🎯 Spiritual Connection:

That’s the kind of bold, unrestricted access we now have with God—not because of our rank, résumé, or righteousness, but because grace made us children of the King.

Ephesians 3:12 (ESV): “In [Christ] we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”

You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it. And you’ve been granted access to the very throne room of Heaven.

The struggle and suffering is worth the eternal glory of God’s grace. (v.13)

Ephesians 3:13 ESV

13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

✅ Application:

Prayer is your access point. Confidence is your posture. God has not just saved you—He empowers you to share the mysteries with the lost.

🔔 You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it.

🗿 Conclusion and Next Steps (Change Model)

If grace is a gift, then the mission is the wrapping paper we use to give it away. You were entrusted with a holy mystery. The question is: what are you doing with it?

🚼 Apply the Change Model:

Dissatisfaction – Are you spiritually comfortable or missionally responsible?

Vision – Imagine a life where you overcome your fears and live in confidence so grace flows through you to bless others.

First Step – Identify one person this week to pray for, reach out to, or share grace with.

🔔 You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it.

🙏 Altar Call / Gospel Invitation

You may have received grace, but have you truly responded to its calling?

So many of us stop at salvation—we receive the gift, but we never take up the responsibility.

We enjoy the benefits of grace, but we avoid the burden of stewardship.

But grace was never meant to stop with you. It was meant to move through you.

Today is more than a moment of personal renewal—it’s a holy commissioning. You’ve been entrusted with the most powerful story ever told: the mystery of Christ revealed, the Gospel of grace unleashed, and the access to God made available.

If you’ve been hiding in the shadows of spiritual safety, it’s time to step into the light of spiritual purpose. If you’ve been sitting on your salvation, it’s time to stand up and steward it.

Ephesians 3:14 ESV

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

Come today not just to receive—but to respond. Not just to be comforted—but to be commissioned. Not just to be forgiven—but to be sent.

Say to Jesus: “I receive Your grace—and I accept the call. I will carry this Gospel with courage. I will live like one entrusted, not entitled.”

Don’t leave grace on the shelf. Don’t bury the mystery. Live it. Share it. Steward it.

🔔 You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it.

🧠 YouTube/Streaming Synopsis

Feeling stuck in your faith? Wondering what God expects of you now that you’ve been saved? In this message from Ephesians 3, discover how the grace that saved you is also a trust placed in your hands. You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it. Learn how to live with purpose, carry God’s love to others, and access His presence with boldness. This message will shift how you see your salvation—and how you share it.

Quote of the Day:

“You weren’t just saved by grace—you were entrusted with it.”